It wouldn’t be a lie if I claimed that the masterful creative, Jim Henson, made a profound impact on my life. From the Muppets to Sesame Street, to Fraggle Rock, to his movies, The Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, and more. But what held me close was the series in the late 80s called The Storyteller.
The Storyteller played on television, and it was a special night when it aired! The Storyteller enveloped Jim Henson’s creativity in the world of folktales. Each story told was a descriptive adventure. There was no way to know where the story would take you in its imaginative artforms. It was a feast for the senses, and I loved every single one. The details in the description of each story told was just as important as the unbelievable puppetry and scenes created on screen.
As soon as I could get my hands on the DVD box sets, I did. And as soon as my children were old enough, we watched the series together.
When people told themselves their past with stories, explained their present with stories, foretold the future with stories, the best place by the fire was kept for the storyteller.
The Storyteller was played by Sir John Hurt – who everyone now knows played Garrick Ollivander in the Harry Potter movies. The second series that focused on myths, had a different storyteller but it was equally inspiring. To see the myths that I read in school come to life with puppetry and actors was incredible. Back then, Jim Henson and his team created each scene came to life with beautifully wild puppets, without CGI or AI, just the magic of puppetry and art. It was absolute poetry.
But imagine, just imagine, if the great Jim Henson had of been given the opportunity to develop his artistry even further with new technology? That is exactly what Felix & Paul Studios has created with The Jim Henson Company in the augmented reality installation, The Seven Ravens. The installation is currently free to discover at Place des Arts.
I had the opportunity to visit and speak with Paul Raphaël, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-founder of Felix & Paul Studios. “This project is a testament to our pursuit of redefining how stories are told and experienced, creating more engaging and personal connections between story and audience” says Raphaël. I was so happy to give my reaction to Raphaël after my experience. As an 80’s kid, being able to open a book and see The Storyteller come to life before my eyes is incredible. We each shared our love for Henson and how his creations shaped us. For Felix & Paul Studios, this was a real feat; to impress the Jim Henson Company team with their work. The Seven Ravens premiered last year in official competition at the Venice International Film Festival in the Venice Immersive section. Montreal is lucky to have this experience making its North American debut.
What is Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: The Seven Ravens About?
In this enchanting tale, the night of Emma’s birth takes an unexpected turn when her seven brothers are cursed and transformed into ravens. The secret of her brothers’ fate is hidden from Emma until, 12 years later, hearing the whispers of the villagers, she forces the truth from her father, thus sparking her incredible journey. Haunted by the guilt of her inadvertent role in the curse, Emma, following a magical compass, embarks on a quest across blazing fields, a burning desert, a tempestuous ocean, and into the expanse of the cosmos, guided by the radiant Morning Star. Her path leads her to the Crystal Mountain, an otherworldly realm governed by a deceitful Lord and inhabited by a giant, crystal-clad crab. Through courage and sacrifice, she is able to remind her brothers of their humanity, causing them to reclaim their true forms. Their liberation brings joy and reunification, and they fly home, carrying Emma to their overjoyed father. Thus, the tale ends with the family’s heartwarming reunion, proving that love can overcome even the most powerful curses.
What is this Augmented Reality Experience?
Think of the pop-up books you read as a child and add the highest technology to that. What is amazing about the experience is that depending how you move the book in your hands, the imagery changes in its angles and actions. For example, stars in the sky or water that is being poured moves with your movements. It’s hard to explain but incredible to witness! True to the essence of the original series, and enhanced with today’s technology, I really do think Jim Henson would be amazed to see what technology can bring to his creations.
Felix & Paul Studios have embraced a new medium by using augmented reality for the first time in one of their productions with an optical see-through device. This technology brings the story to life as you turn the pages. Interact with the book (move it forward and backwards, side to side, up and down) to explore the story as it expands before your eyes. Immerse yourself in an entirely original and immersive experience, while still retaining the familiar mechanics of turning the pages of a book.
Raphaël explained that this experience is a first step, and that the intention would be to take this concept and create more stories and potentially use them as educational experiences. How wonderful it would be to have a personal book of our own to hear The Storyteller and watch stories come to life whenever we wanted!
The experience is available until February 23rd and is available in English and French. For more information about the experience or to get your free tickets, visit the Place des Arts website.
For more on Jim Henson, read my review on the documentary of his art:
https://askmamamoe.com/jim-henson-idea-man-mama-moe-movie-review/